Library staff provided a broad operations update to the Muskego Public Library board on Oct. 21 covering vendor supply issues, building safety work, technology incidents, staffing and routine service changes.

Vendor supply: Staff said Baker & Taylor — the library’s largest vendor — is facing business disruption; the library has increased orders through other vendors including Ingram and Amazon and has identified five or six alternative suppliers. Jolynn (library staff) reported opening 183 Amazon boxes in two weeks while the vendor transition was underway.

Sprinkler system and building safety: Staff reported an extensive sprinkler overhaul earlier in the year and said recent mandated tests (a 20‑year test and a 3‑year test) had been delayed because crews found low air pressure in the lines. Crews located and patched leaks (one minor leak remains behind drywall near the circulation desk by design) and ran the required tests; the fire department and contracted technicians participated. Staff said repairs used savings and were the reason other capital work — notably a planned parking-lot portion — was deferred and bundled into the city's roads program for completion in 2026.

Technology and security: Staff described two recent incidents in which the library’s firewall was obsolete and had allowed misuse of public computers; in one instance a patron viewed inappropriate material. City IT has updated the firewall and implemented routine checks, staff said, and the issues were handled without ongoing exposure. Trustees asked for confirmation that firewalls and checks are in place; staff said they are fixed and monitored with city IT.

Service and staffing: Hoopla service for digital content ended last week and the library expected one final small charge. The library is changing its incoming-phone routing to a brief menu with options for circulation and reference and adding voicemail so callers can leave messages. Staff confirmed an admin hire: Anne Henderson, MLIS, will start Nov. 3 after passing a background check; the library will interview candidates for a shelver position later the same week.

Budget/capital: Trustees were told the library did not submit a standalone capital request this year because the remaining parking-lot work was included in the city’s aggregated roads program; staff said the work is scheduled for 2026 and the library’s capital request was therefore not required this budget cycle.

No formal board actions were required for these operating updates beyond the earlier consent‑agenda approval of minutes and financials, which passed at the start of the meeting.